FIRST TIME DOG OWNER EVER! :)

Question
I rescued a miniature poodle that they guesstimated is around 2 years old in June and her current weight is 8lbs. I have learned a lot during the last month but I still have more to learn.  I think I have finally potty trained her to go outside (I was taking her out every hour initially and then every two. Now I think she tells me when she needs to go).  My problem is that I get very anxious when I am not home because of my concerns of her having an accidents in my appt.  I've been on summer break and will be returning to work in a couple of weeks.  Should I start to train her to go on Pads?  Or will she be able to hold going potty?  2)What toys are good for poodles?  I have bought her a few but it seems that it's her mission to take the stuffing out! Only a few have survived?  I need something that will entertain her while I am gone. 3) Is it normal that she sleep a lot??  I feed her x2/day 1/4 cup dry with a tbls of wet food, walk her either in the AM/PM or both.  When I don't play with her she sleeps...and I play with her as much as I can.  Please help.  From first time HAPPY pet owner. :)

Answer
Hello Dora,
Congrats on your first dog, sounds like you are doing everything right with her so far.
As to having her potty on pads, I would see how she does without them first.  Also, you might consider getting her a crate to stay in, or find a small area like a bathroom or laundry room where she can stay.  Dogs left to their own devices (even if they are housetrained) will find things to get into and can be destructive.  I've had dogs chew up blinds, get into toilet paper, rip up the carpet, dig through the trash, and even try to eat the walls.  They get anxious because you are away or they just get board.  By putting them in a crate or small area, you can keep them from becoming destructive through the whole apartment.  When you find an appropreate area, you will need to Puppy Proof it by going through it and making sure there is nothing she can get into and eat or chew on.  Hide electric cords, make sure any cleaning supplys are put out of reach.  
You can put a blanket on the floor for her to lay on and provide water for her.  If she eats morning and evening, you won't need to have food out for her.  
Do a test run in the coming weeks before you start work to see how she will do.  Put her in her crate or room while you go shopping or are out for say, an hour.  That way, if she does do anything, you will only be gone an hour rather than a full day of work.

Good toys for her are things like hard plastic bones; Nylabone makes some good chews for small dogs and puppies.  Pigs Ears are good to chew on, last a long time, and are not harmful for dogs to chew.  If she likes to "kill" soft toys with squeakers, they now make a Stuffing-free animal that has squeakers in both ends.  I thought they were silly until I tried one.  My dogs love them and there is no stuffing to end up in my living room.  Wal-Mart carries them, and so do most Pet Stores such as PetCo and PetSmart.  They also make toys that you can put her food in and there is a type of maze inside the toy.  When the dog rolls the toy around, it distributes 1-2 pieces of food, keeping the dog busy for hours.  They also have the huge line of Kong toys, that you can stuff with things like peanut butter, dog food, dog bones, or even fill with Chicken broth and freeze.  Then the dog has to work the food out by licking it and rolling it around.  
You can do things to comfort her while you are gone like sleeping in an old tee shirt for a couple of days to get your smell on it and giving it to her.  That way, if she is lonely, she can snuggle up to it and have your smell.  You can also leave a radio on for background music or leave a TV on for her to hear.  

Well, this is alot of information, but I think it will ease your mind while you are at work.  Try some of these things now to see how she does with them before you leave her a full day.  Start off small, leave her for 30 min and work up to 3 hours or more.  
When you come in the house, don't go directly to her, but wait until she settles down and isn't barking and then you can go get her.  
Be sure to walk her before you leave for work so she can empty her bladder, and then again once you get home.  While you are at home, don't take her out during the hours you will be working.  She has to learn to hold it while you are away.  

I hope this helps you.  If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask me again.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim